Precision livestock farming technologies: Novel direction of information flow

Abstract

Precision livestock farming (PLF) is a digital management system that continuously measures the production, reproduction, health and welfare of animals and environmental impacts of the herd by using information and communication technologies (ICT) and controls all stages of the production process. In conventional livestock management, decisions are mostly based on the appraisal, judgment, and experience of the farmer, veterinarian, and workers. The increasing demand for production and the number of animals makes it difficult for humans to keep track of animals. It is clear that a person is not able to continuously watch the animals 24 hours a day to receive reliable audio-visual data for management. Recent technologies already changed the information flow from animal to human, which helps people to collect reliable information and transform it into an operational decision-making process (eg reproduction management or calving surveillance). Today, livestock farming must combine requirements for a transparent food supply chain, animal welfare, health, and ethics as a traceable-sustainable model by obtaining and processing reliable data using novel technologies. This review provides preliminary information on the advances in ICT for livestock management.